WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld. January 6,2010 (Edited): The White Plains Board of Education has announced the district’s 2010-11 budget planning  process, combining the successful community-wide forums held last year with some new initiatives. President of the Board of Education, Donna McLaughlin, put the preliminary increase in expenses the district faces at $10 Million over the $185.7 Million 2009-10 budget.

White Plains Week, the WPCNR television program which closely follows the extraneous impacts on the school budget, estimates that the district is looking at a $17 Million budget increase that has to be raised through taxation, if preliminary assessment role estimates by the city assessor expected state aid cuts in next year's state budget materialize.

            The district is seeking broad input from the community at various meetings scheduled for this purpose.  Two budget forums will take place at the High School, on January 13^th  and March 3^rd, at 7:30 P.M., in the B-1 Room. 

In addition, the Slater Center will host a meeting on January 20^th, at 7:30 P.M., Centro Hispano will be the host on February 24^th, at 7:30 P.M., and the White Plains Council of eighborhood Associations will host on February 9^th, 7:30 P.M., in the Assembly Room at Education House.

            Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher P. Clouet said, “We hope to work together with the community to develop a budget that maintains the high quality of education in White Plains and that is fiscally responsible and can be supported by the taxpayers in the May 18^th vote.”

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Responding to the unprecedented economic situation, Board President Donna McLaughlin stated, “Next year’s budget will be even more difficult to develop than the current year’s, with cuts in State Aid, a decrease in the STAR exemption, salary increases and increases in employee benefits.  This adds up to a potential increase of almost $10 million in expenditures for next year, without considering tax certioraris.  It is clear that we need to consider all options in order to hold this budget to an acceptable level.”

Additional meetings will take place in the community and any group or organization wishing to host such a meeting may contact the  Superintendent’s Office at 422-2033.   Discussions have also been  held with staff in each school building in the district to encourage open communication and solicit input on the budget.

          All residents are invited to attend these sessions, to participate in focused dialogue on spending efficiencies, areas of concern, budget priorities and creative ways to increase revenues.  A review of the district’s financial situation, the state’s and city’s financial constraints, and other issues relating to development of the budget will be presented.

            The district will also hold two Public Hearings:  the first on March 22^nd, on the Preliminary Proposed Budget, and the second on May 10^th, on the Board of Education’s Adopted Proposed Budget.

            The community is encouraged to visit the district’s website, http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org    for  information on the budget.